National Football Foundation

A three-year starter at linebacker for Northwestern, Barry Gardner holds school records for single-season solo tackles (122) and career fumbles recovered (7). In 1996, he led the Wildcats to their second consecutive Big Ten title and an appearance in the 1997 Peach Bowl, where he led the team with 10 tackles in a loss to Tennessee. A two-year First Team All-Big Ten selection, Gardner ranks second in school history in single-season fumble recoveries (4), third in career total tackles (468) and fourth in single-season total tackles (175). A two-year team captain, he was elected the team MVP following the 1998 season. The team leader in interceptions in 1997 (2), Gardner was selected to play in the senior bowl. A Second Team Academic All-American and three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, he compiled a 3.4 GPA in communication studies and was a two-time recipient of the team’s George Ballantine Jr. Memorial Leadership Award.

Gardner was selected in the second round (35^th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played four seasons with the Eagles, serving as a primary starter in 2000. He played two seasons with the Cleveland Browns and one season with the New York Jets. Gardner finished his NFL career with 255 total tackles, two sacks and five forced fumbles. He is currently a linebackers coach for Football University, Performance Enhancement Professionals and EXOS, the leader in integrated performance training, nutrition and physical therapy for elite and professional athletes. Gardner also serves as director of player development for The Institute of Athletes and the president of NU Vision Investment Group, a wealth management company, and The Be Great Initiative, LLC, an NFL Combine training program for collegiate linebackers.